MHRC-Mitacs-iA Workplace Mental Health Studentship (Summer 2027)

Workplace Mental Health
$15,000 CAD
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 9.00am ET
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 at 11.59pm ET
Between early- and mid-February 2027
By July 31, 2027
6 months

MHRC is proud to partner with Mitacs and iA Financial Group on this funding opportunity for student researchers across the country to work on workplace mental health research projects with their academic supervisor partner with a local service provider or community organization.

Topic Area

MHRC, Mitacs and iA Financial Group are partnering to support the brightest university or college students to conduct research in mental health at one of Canada’s many post-secondary institutions. These interns will share their time between academic institutions and partner organizations, tying together their research with the end-users to ensure the project is tailored to and appropriate for that community’s needs and people with lived experience.

This jointly funded internship is part of MHRC’s 2026-2027 Studentship cycle, where researchers share their time between academic institutions and community service providers, tying together their research with the needs of the end-users — the community and people with lived experience. MHRC aims to drive systemic change by encouraging the adoption of effective, research-informed, and client-centric approaches to mental health treatment.

MHRC prioritizes the following workplace mental health research areas:

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Research exploring how AI impacts workplace productivity and psychosocial well-being.
Sector-based analyses: Research examining workplace mental health within specific sectors such as healthcare workers, military personnel and other workforces.
Psychosocial hazards and trauma: Research addressing the impacts of employee mental health to psychosocial hazards and traumas.
Implementation of the national standard for psychological health and safety in the workplace: Research focused on the application, use and effectiveness of Guarding Minds at Work to assess and address psychosocial risks in the workplace.

All proposals must require collaboration with community members and those with lived experience to qualify for this funding.

Objective

To support the next generation of mental health researchers and to ensure they are actively engaged in innovative, useful and community-driven research on workplace mental health;
To narrow the gap between research and its impact on end-users;
To strengthen relationships between community mental health service providers and academia through collaboration and knowledge sharing; and
To contribute to the development of a more accessible and impactful mental health system in Canada.

Eligibility

Eligible students must:

Hold Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status;
Have an interest in pursuing mental health or mental health research as a career;
Be enrolled in an Masters, College or PhD program at an accredited Canadian University or College, in psychology, health or related field/discipline; and
Conduct a mental health research project in collaboration with both an academic supervisor and an eligible partner organization*, with preference for projects addressing unique needs of diverse and/or vulnerable populations in Canada; and
NOT have current or past employment ties and any conflicts of interest with the named partner organization.

* If you are interested by MHRC’s work, you are welcome to choose us as your partner organization. Please research well about us and the work we do in the area of workplace mental health. You can find more information in link 1 and link 2.

All projects must have clear potential for impact on the relevant community, and therefore must partner with a community service provider and integrate the insights of people with lived experience into each stage of their project. Proposals must collaborate directly with appropriate communities to develop their projects.

Please read the application guide for the complete application requirements

Application Guide
We are including an editable budget template to include in your application

Budget Template

Click Here to Apply

For questions pertaining to this partnership or application process, please contact:

Barani Ganapathi

Senior Consultant, Research Grants and Organizational Impact

Mental Health Research Canada

bganapathi@mhrc.ca

Sarah Fairlie

Senior Advisor, Social Innovation,

Mitacs Inc.

sfairlie@mitacs.ca

FAQs

The $15,000 funding will be sent directly to the applicant’s academic institution and held by the academic supervisor. The funds will be disbursed based on the project’s timeline, and it is the responsibility of the supervisor to ensure that they are used appropriately for the studentship’s purpose, covering research expenses and other project-related costs.
No, your community partner organization is not required to make a financial contribution to the studentship. However, they are expected to provide in-kind support, such as offering mentorship, expertise, resources and guidance that will help you carry out the research effectively. This could include providing access to community data, facilitating connections with individuals for interviews or consultations, and offering feedback on the project's progress. The partner organization plays a key role in ensuring that the research aligns with community needs and contributes to its success, making their non-financial support essential.
Yes, you are welcome to collaborate with more than one community partner organization, as long as each partner plays a meaningful role in the project. Your proposal should clearly define how each partner will contribute and how their involvement will enhance the project’s impact on workplace mental health. The participation of multiple partners can broaden the scope of the research and increase its relevance to different communities.
Yes, previous recipients of MHRC or Mitacs funding can apply for the Studentship, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. However, applicants should clearly outline how this new project builds upon or differs from past funded work to avoid overlap.
Yes, interdisciplinary research that connects mental health with fields such as public health, social work, or digital innovations is welcomed, as long as the project maintains a strong focus on mental health outcomes and community well-being in the workplace. Collaboration across disciplines can enhance the research's scope and relevance to relevant communities.
We encourage a range of research methodologies, including but not limited to community-based participatory research, qualitative studies (such as interviews and focus groups), quantitative research, or mixed-methods approaches. The key requirement is that the project must involve lived perspectives and experiences at every stage, ensuring culturally relevant and impactful research outcomes.
Yes, researchers are expected to submit updates during the studentship and a final report outlining key findings, community impact, and any recommendations for further research. These reports must demonstrate how the project met its objectives and benefited the community/ies involved.
If project delays or challenges arise, maintain open communication with your academic supervisor and community partner. You may need to adjust timelines or goals, but significant changes should be discussed with MHRC and Mitacs , who will offer guidance. Extensions may be considered on a case-by-case basis, though the studentship cannot exceed six months without prior approval.